Wednesday, September 26, 2007

A Few Words

Today I'm going to dedicate an entry to someone, a stranger. Someone who has been taken from this earth much too soon.

For those of you who don't know who she is, I'll explain. This girl's name is Nurin Jazlin Jazimin. She was eight years old, and the second of four daughters. Last August 20th, she went out to the night market to buy some hair clips, alone. She never returned.

Her parents and the police made every effort to find her, seeking help from everyone, including the public. But there were no leads as to her whereabouts. Her parents were especially worried because Nurin Jazlin suffers from kidney problems, and needs medical attention.

On September 17th, Monday, her body was found naked and stuffed inside a sports bag and left outside a shoplot not far from her home. Initially her parents couldn't identify her at the morgue, but the subsequent DNA tests concluded that the body was indeed Nurin Jazlin. Autopsy reports also discovered that she was sexually assaulted. (Out of respect for her, I won't give you the details.)

She wasn't supposed to go out alone that night. But she did, just this time, and it cost her. It cost her dear family as well. If anything, this tragic incident only serves to remind us of what we already know but usually forget. That evil exists right outside our doors. That it's not safe for any of us out there. That the worst things can happen to any of us at any time without warning.

I am not a parent, but I do feel sad and sympathetic for Nurin Jazlin's parents. This is certainly not the way they wanted their daughter to end up. I've been following the updates on this story, and her death has been felt by her family, friends and people across Malaysia. Everyone has been pouring in their condolences and support and prayers, and everyone including myself hopes that the monster responsible for this crime will be brought to justice soon.

My condolences go out to Nurin Jazlin's family, and I hope they will find peace as time goes by. I also hope that God has mercy on her killer, because when we finally catch up with him, we won't.


May you rest in peace, Nurin Jazlin. Amen.

(For more information on her story, visit nurinjazlin.blogspot.com)

1 comment:

Anouk said...

Oh how I hate things like this so much... the world sometimes isn't a fair place...

A few years ago something like that happened in our country too. I can only say I know what it's like to have a national shock.